Tonight was Northfield’s annual “Winter Walk” festival downtown. Just like last year, it was a good time for all – even if Shannon was too sick to go and it was a good 15 degrees colder. The girls enjoyed seeing the two live reindeer, listening to any of the bazillion caroling groups, scarfing a holiday cookie, riding on a horse-drawn wagon, getting our picture taken, and having their faces painted (Julia: Christmas tree; Genevieve: snowman). Julia did not enjoy trying to look at the moon through a telescope set up by a Carleton astronomer on Bridge Square, however – something about it freaked her out. And though it might be crass to say so, my favoritest thing about the evening was the cost: $0.00. Northfield is great that way.
(Also great: Julia asking, each time we passed one of the two banks downtown, “Is THAT the bank Jesse James robbed, Daddy?”)
Yes, we are a great little town. Keep in mind, however, that the fun and merriment were not a tax payer funded event (‘tho some services are provided by the City). While some folks see events like this as seemingly being a ‘public service’, they are in fact paid for by volunteer hours and contributions in kind and in cash. The Chamber of Commerce budget was, I think, $3000 + labor, and funded by businesses and shopkeepers. The 400 bag red luminaria display on the riverwalk by Riverwalk Arts Quarter cost nearly $500 + labor, too. We donate our time and treasure both as a celebration of our great downtown as well as in hopes that those who might simply see it as a free evening will stop in our businesses and find something to buy. Many do, Northfield is great that way, too.
Dean –
Thanks for the great, informative comment. I knew that the Winter Walk was a “community event,” not a City one (or any single organization’s), but the scale of the volunteer involvement is really amazing. It’s inspiring, the same way the Defeat of Jesse James Days are.